While this will inevitably continue this year for some, you could also extend that concept to the sakes we’re literally bringing to the table. In addition to adding new sakes for this year’s event (E.g. TY KU, etc.), Sake San Jose also welcomes back participant favorites, such as Hakutsuru, Joto Sake, Sake One, Takara, Ozeki and Gekkeikan. All the sakes have uniqueness and nuances that draw people to discern their favorite profiles and also illuminate how diverse and (sometimes minutely) distinctive the world of sake can be. Whether you’re a die-hard sake fan (ichi…ni…san…!!) or spiritedly curious, we’re sure you’ll find your palate’s niche.

There will be 25 pouring stations and 40 sakes flowing down Jackson Avenue, from Western Contract Furniture up near 6th Street, to the James Akiyama Wellness Center south of 4th street. As with last year, Jackson Avenue will become a Raffle Road for all participants, where completing tastings leads to a raffle drawing for a mixed box of sake. So come on down!! We can’t wait to see you.

Sake San Jose is pleased to welcome a new sake to the line-up for our 6th annual event on May 26th.  TY KU sake is the mastermind behind an award-winning collection of sakes with a twist. Featuring natural ingredients, dynamic flavor profiles, and sleek presentation, TY KU sakes invite drinkers to immerse in sensation with every sip. TY KU also aims to inspire taking sake tasting to a new level, with fresh sake cocktail ideas and sake education.

Welcome to Sake San Jose, TY KU. Pour. Sip. Elevate.

http://www.trytyku.com/ | @TeamTYKU | contact@trytyku.com

As a shop self-proclaimed to be “rooted from a melting pot of chicanos, south pacific islanders, tattooers and graff heads,” Cukui Clothing Company boasts a collection of eclectic neo-urban art and streetwear at their location on Jackson Street. This is a perfect flavor to add to the blend of Japantown.

Rounding out this trio at the tail end is Biscuits, a retail pet store that does more than throwing your dog a bone. For the dog or cat in your life, this pet boutique showcases products that are both natural and organic, and also offers services like teeth cleaning and nail clipping, and promotes the adoption of puppies in need a of a good home. “We are very excited to partake in Sake San Jose this year. Biscuits has been a part of Japantown San Jose since July of 2010, and we are very proud and excited to be a new addition to the community. We take pride in being able to provide healthy alternatives for local dog/cat owners and continue to build genuine relationships with our customers. Please stop by and visit us at 223 Jackson St, San Jose, CA. Also don’t forget to check us out at www.shopbiscuits.com for more information.”

Thanks to all participating Japantown businesses!! Sake San Jose raises a plastic sake sample cup to you!!

The tickets for this premium event are $80, which include both the private tasting event and the public event on Jackson St. As with the regular event tickets, 100% of the proceeds directly benefit Yu-Ai Kai Senior Services, a nonprofit senior center, in Japantown. We hope to see you there!!

Update (5/17/2011)!! Ever heard of “legs for days?” Not quite the same,but close: recently found that Chuka Iidako (tender baby octopus, sweet shoyu dressing) & Tako Wasabi (octopus salad with wasabi) are on the menu too. Kanpai Hachi-soku!

Roy’s Station Coffee and Teas is built on the historic site of a gas station run by Roy Murotsune and his brothers, from post WWII to 1990. The closing of the gas station left the spot mostly vacant, after years of being a Japantown landmark. The coffee shop has emerged to breathe new life into the location and is run by Carole Rast, daughter of Murotsune, and some of her family. They continue the spot’s tradition of fueling customers, this time with with a different source of energy, which includes coffee from Barefoot Coffee Roasters, tea from Teance, assorted pastries, and Japanese snacks from Tengu Sushi. Roy’s Station is open daily, and on May 26th will be serving customers until 9PM.

Pre-sale orders for this exclusive Sake San Jose 2011 tshirt are now being accepted.  Please visit www.sakesanjose.com to order yours today!

Sake San Jose is back to celebrate, Year of the Rabbit style. Join us for one of the most anticipated fundraisers of the year, as once again we take to the streets of San Jose to sample over 25 sakes and get a taste of the prolific food, flavor and culture of one of the three remaining Japantowns in the United States.

Sakes made in Japan and the US, such as daiginjo, ginjo and junmai grades will be available for tasting at over 25 Japantown businesses, providing a great opportunity for connoisseurs and novices alike to sample and learn about a variety of sakes. The sixth annual SSJ will also debut an Akiyama Premium Sake Tasting, where industry experts will guide more ardent tasters through a special collection of premium sakes and accompanying “small plates” in the James Akiyama Wellness Center’s Sakura Room. These limited-quantity tickets include participation to the regular SSJ event as well.

Thank you for your continued support of Yu-Ai Kai and its healthy aging programs. For more information, please visit www.yuaikai.org or www.sakesanjose.com.

Last year, State of Grace founder, Takahiro “Horitaka” Kitamura, graciously accepted a request to help create an exclusive design for our Sake San Jose tshirts.This year, in keeping with the zodiac theme that he introduced in 2010, Horitaka has created an eye-catching, spunky design for the Year of the Rabbit. We are very excited to promote this design on our 2011 tshirt, which will be available to purchase soon.

Also for this year’s event, Horitaka has enlisted one of his artists, Kenji “Horiken” Hori, to contribute an original watercolor painting to Sake San Jose. Horiken is an artist skilled in hand tattooing with over 15 years experience, who immigrated to the United States to practice traditional hand tattooing here. A stunning watercolor painting was hand-delivered to Yu-Ai Kai and will be featured in this year’s event poster.

State of Grace was founded in 2002 by Takahiro “Horitaka” Kitamura as a shop specializing in traditional Japanese tattooing in the United States. In an effort to further share tattoo culture, State of Grace is involved in book publishing, as well as lecture presentations.

State of Grace │ 221 Jackson Street, SJ 95112 │ 408.441.0770   www.stateofgracetattoo.com

Along with sake, a variety of “small plates” will be offered to accompany the sakes. Sake experts will be available to offer information about the different sakes being tasted. And once you have tasted these offerings, the streets of Japantown will still be available for you to find your Sake San Jose favorite sakes.